HMS Orlando

The HMS Orlando sits in Lee-on-the-Solent as a reminder of Britain's naval past - a decommissioned minesweeper that's been preserved as a floating museum. You can walk around the vessel itself, getting a sense of how cramped naval life actually was. The corridors are genuinely tight, the crew quarters basic, and there's something quite moving about standing where sailors worked during active service.

It's the sort of place history enthusiasts will spend a good hour or two exploring properly, reading the plaques and imagining what conditions were like. Kids might enjoy it for thirty minutes - the novelty of being aboard a real ship usually grabs them - but younger children could find the confined spaces a bit much. The waterside location at Lee-on-the-Solent itself is pleasant enough, with decent views across the Solent.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Kingfisher Caravan Park is closest at just over three miles away - the Orlando makes a decent half-day outing, particularly if the weather's decent. Pair it with a walk along the seafront or a fish and chips lunch to make it a proper afternoon. The admission details and opening hours can be a bit murky, so ring ahead before you go. It's not the sort of attraction that'll dominate your holiday, but for anyone with even a passing interest in naval history, it's worth the short trip from your base.